I really enjoy making this magazine spread using Apple’s word processor and document editor called Pages. Pages provides what I believe to be the bare minimum tools necessary to create quick presentations and then adds a few nice features like adding mirror reflection, page effects, etc. But where I think Pages shine is on the fast learning curve and how intuitive the environment feels after a few minutes of use. I used box shapes to arrange where the text would be, then added the text and played with font style and sizes, changed the color schemes, and finished with a few touches like the reflection effect and the ball note above. I did based the layout on a few examples of actual magazine articles found o the web so there was almost no thought put on the design. But, hey, have you seen the magazine covers lately? They all are copies of their own past editions. If not Google it.

Bottom line, I will be using Apple Pages more and more. It offers just the right amount of tools necessary for most documents in an intuitive and easy to learn environment. Plus, it is all iCloud based so you can edit and finish on the go.

When Adobe first announced their subscription plans for Lightroom and Photoshop, I quickly joined the torch holders and stick wavers. How dare they come up with such a thing, right? Who are these fools willing to pay a monthly fee for access to their beloved software? And, of course, I am not talking about you Mr. Hook.

Well, count me in as one of these fools.

So what got me hooked up (no pun intended Matey!). Shockingly to most torch burners: price. Let’s get out our solar-powered Casio calculators for a minute. Adobe charges $9.99 monthly for the Photography subscription. Let’s leave aside the fact that this amounts to a cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant from your local Starbucks. In a year, you would be forking out $119.88. Yeah this sounds a bit steep right? Well, let’s dig in. Photoshop CS6 currently has a price tag of $420 big ones. Lightroom 5 is a little easier on your pockets at a nicely priced $80. That is a hefty $500 you have to drop like it’s hot a the time you get them both. Well, I’m thinking I can hold off to that cup and french pastry every month. But it get’s better. Even for the amateur, if you like photography, you already have these two software or at least they are under your radar. And you want the most up to date, without of course breaking the bank so you (and me before subscribing) only update every two years. During that time, you just check magazines to see what is new with the new releases and patiently wait for the next one after to pull out your wallet. In this scenario, your $500 would equal to $20.83 per month. That is $500 over a period of 24 months. Hmmm, right? That is more than twice the price of the monthly subscription.

Signing up for Creative Cloud and one enjoys the benefits of always staying up to date and having the latest shenanigans that keeps our souls full of joy. So it is all joy and happiness, right? Wrong! Here is the fine print kick in the butt… If you decide to cancel your membership, you will lose the software after 30 days. That’s right, even if you have already paid 10, 15 months. On the other hand, if you opt for purchasing your software, you will keep it yours forever and ever, even if it’s 200 years old.

So, should one go with purchasing or membership? Well, I went for the last one. I know I will want to upgrade after a couple years, so why not pay less and be up to date all the time. Of course, this marriage will last until I decide that I do need that extra cup of coffee and chocolate croissant every month. Until then, I am as happy as muddy mudskipper.